Key mounting device for holding a group of selected keys in a predetermined arrangement

ABSTRACT

A key mounting device for holding a group of selected keys in a predetermined arrangement, the device having a thin body member upon which the keys rest. An aperture is provided through one end of the body member for receiving a key ring therethrough. Tabs or leg members are provided at an opposite end of the body member for holding the keys relative to the body member. The leg members extend outwardly from opposite side edges of the body, and are bent towards each other with one leg member being disposed above the other to enclose portions of the keys so as to hold them within the leg members. The keys are passed between the overlapping sections for positioning within and removal from the mounting device. Each of the overlapping sections defines a guide when the key is being positioned on the body member and when the key is being removed therefrom. Preferably, the leg members are resilient to facilitate the passing of the keys therebetween.

United States Patent 1 Shanok et a1.

[451 May 13, 1975 1 KEY MOUNTING DEVICE FOR HOLDING A GROUP OF SELECTED KEYS IN A PREDETERMINED ARRANGEMENT [75] Inventors: Victor Shanok; Jesse P. Shanok, I

both of Brooklyn; Joseph Laszlo, New York, all of NY.

[73] Assignee: Silvatrim Associates, South Plainfield, NJ.

22 Filed: Apr. 11, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 460,096

Primary ExaminerRobert L. Wolfe Attorney, Agent, or FirmFriedman & Goodman [57] ABSTRACT A key mounting device for holding a group of selected keys in a predetermined arrangement, the device having a thin body member upon which the keys rest. An aperture is provided through one end of the body member for receiving a key ring therethrough. Tabs or leg members are provided at an opposite end of the body member for holding the keys relative to the body member. The leg members extend outwardly from opposite side edges of the body, and are bent towards each other with one leg member being disposed above the other to enclose portions of the keys so as to hold them within the leg members. The keys are passed between the overlapping sections for positioning within and removal from the mounting device. Each of the overlapping sections defines a guide when the key is being positioned on the body member and when the key is being removed therefrom. Preferably, the leg members are resilient to facilitate the passing of the keys therebetween.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures KEY MOUNTING DEVICE FOR HOLDING A GROUP OF SELECTED KEYS IN A PREDETERMINED ARRANGEMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a key holder, and more particularly to a key mounting device for holding a group of selected keys in a predetermined arrangement.

Key rings are well known in the art, wherein a plurality of keys are attached thereto. However, one of the problems in using a key ring, is that of locating a particular key or group of keys when desired for use. Usually, the person must grope through each of the keys mounted on the key ring before locating the key he intends to use. Additionally, when a person desires to use more than one key, such as opening the outside door of an apartment building before opening the particular door to his apartment, he must go through the keys on the key ring several times in order to locate these different keys.

Several attempts have been made to solve this problem, however these attempts usually create additional problems. A common attempt is the use of key cases with individual pockets or hooks for receiving the different keys. This type of key case is usually bulky and cannot easily be handled or held by the user. Additionally, in many instances, the key must be detached and- /or removed from the key case in order to use the key which is sometimes difficult, requiring the user to have patience and time at each instance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a key mounting device for holding a group of selected keys in a predetermined arrangement, said device comprising a body member upon which the keys rest, aperture means through one end portion of the body member for receiving a key ring, tab means at an opposite end portion for holding the keys relative to the body member, the tab means including a pair of leg members extending outwardly from opposite side edges of the body and turning towards each other with one leg member being disposed above the other leg member to define overlapping sections to enclose portions of the keys, whereby the keys pass between the overlapping sections when positioned into and out of the mounting device, the overlapping sections having guide means for directing the keys between the overlapping sections when the keys are being positioned therein and additionally when the keys are being removed therefrom, whereby the leg members may be resilient to facilitate the passing of the keys therebetween.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a key mounting device which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.

Another object of this invention is to provide a key mounting device for holding a group of selected keys in a predetermined arrangement.

A further object of this invention is to provide a key mounting device that enables keys to be easily mounted thereon and removed therefrom.

A still further object is to provide a key mounting device that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, one which has few moving parts and therefore cannot be easily broken or lost.

An added object of this invention is to provide a key mounting device that can easily be attached to a conventional key ring, whereby more than one such key mounting devices can be added to the key ring, as desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS With the above and additionally objects and advantages in view, as will hereinafter appear, this invention comprises the devices, combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter described by way of example and illustrated in the accompanying drawings of a preferred embodiment in which:

FIG. 1 represents a perspective view of a key mounting device pursuant to the present invention, the device being attached to a key ring and shown holding selected keys in a predetermined arrangement;

FIG. 2 represents a top plan view of the key mounting device of this invention;

FIG. 3 represents a front elevational view of the key mounting device of this invention;

FIG. 4 represents a side elevational view of the key mounting device of this invention;

FIG. 5 represents a sectional view, taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 2, showing the key mounting device of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a key mounting device 10, of the present invention, attached to a conventional key ring 40 having different types of keys 42 disposed thereon. Three selected keys 44, 46 and 48 are also disposed in a conventional manner on the key ring 40, and are additionally mounted on the key device 10 in a predetermined arrangement, as to be set forth hereinafter below in more detail.

The key device 10, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, comprises a thin, flat body member 12 which is enlarged at one end portion thereof, and tapers to a narrow end portion at the opposite end thereof. A pair of tab or leg members 14, 16 extended outwardly from opposite side edges of the narrow portion, as best shown in FIG. 3. Each of the leg members 14, 16 comprises three sections 18, 20, 22 and 24, 26, 28, respectively. Section 18 of leg member 14 and section 24 of leg member 16 each have one end thereof connected to the base member 12 and extended outwardly from and substantially perpendicular to the base member 12 so that sections 18 and 24 are spaced apart in a substantially parallel relation to each other. Preferably, section 24 is slightly longer than section 18 for reasons set forth below.

Section 20 of leg member 14 has one end connected to section 18. Section 20 extends inwardly from section 18 in a direction towards the section 24. Section 22 of leg portion 14, as best known in FIGS. 3 and 5, is preferably tapered. One end of section 22 is connected to section 20 with the opposite end being free. Section 22 extends downwardly towards the base member 12 in a direction of a plane passing through the section 24 of leg member 16 to define a lip or guide member, the function of which will be set forth hereinafter below.

Section 26 of leg member 16 has one end connected to section 24. Section 26 extends inwardly from and is substantially perpendicularly to section 24 in a direction towards the section 18, with section 26 being longer than section'20. Because the section 24 is longer than the section 18, the section 26 of leg member 16 overlies or is above the sections 20 and 22 of the leg member 14.

Section 28 of leg member 16 is also tapered, as shown in the drawings. One end of section 28 is connected to section 26 with the opposite end being free. Section 28 extends outwardly away from base member 12 in a direction towards a plane passing through section 18 of leg member 14 to define a second lip or guide member, the function of which will also be set forth hereinafter below. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 leg member 16 overlies leg member 14 to define, together with the base member 12, an enclosure open at both,

ends for holding the keys therein.

An aperture, opening or hole 30 is provided in the enlarged portion of body member 12, as best shown in FIG. 2. The hole 30 is made of sufficient size to receive the conventional key ring 40 or the like, so that the key device can be attached to the key ring 40 in a conventional manner as shown in FIG. 1.

Preferably, the key device is stamped or cut from a thin flat metal material to form a blank having tabs extending in opposite directions at one end thereof. The tabs of the blank are bent or folded to form the leg members 14 and 16, as shown in the drawings, wherein leg member 16 is the longer of the two. If desired, the key device could also be made from a plastic material or the like. Preferably, the material from which the key device 10 is formed, should have some resilency for the reasons set forth hereinafter below.

The key device 10 is for use on a conventional key ring 40 or the like having a plurality of keys disposed thereon, where it is desired to group or arrange a certain number of these keys together in a preferred order or arrangement so that they can easily be located. For example, a persons home keys can be in one group, and his car keys is a second group, where his office keys could form a third group, wherein it would be obvious to attach any number of key devices 10 of the present invention to one particular key ring. Additionally, each key device 10 could have its own particular color, code or identification for easy recognition of a particular group of keys mounted thereonv The key 46 could represent the key for the users automobile truck, wherein the key 48 could then represent the automobile ignition key. A third key 44 could be added to this group to represent the key for the automobile gas tank cover.

As shown in FIG. 1, the key device 10 and the keys 44, 46 and 48 are placed on the key ring 40 in consecutive order with the key 44 being closest to the key device 10 and the key 48 being the furthest therefrom. The key 44 is first positioned on the device 10 passing the shank portion of the key through the opening between the lip member 28 of leg member 24 and lip member 22 of leg member 18. Accordingly, the tapered section 28 acts as a guide to direct the key 44 through this opening. Preferably, this opening is slightly 1 less than the thickness of the key shank, and may even be closed whereby the section 28 engages either section or 22. Because of the resilient nature of the leg members 14 and 16, the key 44 is able to force the sections 28 and 22 apart so that the key can pass through. Once the key has been passing through, the key 44 rests on the body member 12.

The next preferred selected key 46 is now forced between the sections 28 and 22 in a similar manner as Y mentioned above, and placed upon the key 44. The key 48 is placed in the key device 10 in a similar manner so that the key 48 rests on the key46 as shown in FIG;

1. In this way, the user can pick out or locate the keys 44, 46 and 48 from a group or plurality of keys on the key ring 40, whereby the user also knows the arrangement of this group of keys so that anyone key can be selected easily by the user.

Obviously, the length of the key device 10 can be varied as desired in the manufacture thereof, whereby the key or keys must be long enough to at least pass beneath the leg members 14 and 16 to be held thereby. Also, the width of the shank portion of the key should be less than the distance from the free end of section 22 of the leg member 14 to the section 24 of the leg member 16, so that the shank portion can pass by the free end of section 22 and be brought against the base member 12 or another key positioned on the base member 12, to the position shown in FIG. 1.

Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed willsuggest themselves to those skilled in the art. l-Iowevenit is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to a prepared embodiment of the inven'..

tion which is for purposes of illustration only and not to be construed as limitation of the invention.

What is claimed is:,

1.. A key mounting device for holding a group of selected keys in a predetermined arrangement, said device comprising a body member upon which the keys can rest, aperture means through one end portion of said body member for receiving a key ring, tab means at an opposite portion for holding the keys relative to said body member, said tab means including a pair of leg members, a first section of one of said leg members being disposed over a second section of the other of posite side edges of said body member and are turned toward each other.

3. A key mounting ,device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first section is longer than said second section.

4. A key mounting device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first section includes guide means, for directing the keys between said first and second sections when the keys are being positionedtherein.

5. A key mounting device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said guide means includes a lip portion having a free end directed away from said base member.

6. A key mounting device as claimed inclaim 5, wherein saidlip portion is tapered.

7. A keymounting device as. claimed in claim 4, wherein said second section includes second guide means for directing the keys between said first and second sections when the keys are being removed therefrom.

8. Akey mounting device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said second guide means includes a lip portion having a free end directed toward said base member.

9. A key mounting device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said lip portion of said second guide means is tapered.

10. A key mounting device asclaimed in claim 1,

less than the thickness of each of the keys. 

1. A key mounting device for holding a group of selected keys in a predetermined arrangement, said device comprising a body member upon which the keys can rest, aperture means through one end portion of said body member for receiving a key ring, tab means at an opposite portion for holding the keys relative to said body member, said tab means including a pair of leg members, a first section of one of said leg members being disposed over a second section of the other of said leg members, whereby the keys are passed between said first and second sections when being positioned on said body member and when being removed therefrom.
 2. A key mounting device is claimed in claim 1, wherein said leg members extend outwardly from opposite side edges of said body member and are turned toward each other.
 3. A key mounting device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first section is longer than said second section.
 4. A key mounting device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first section includes guide means for directing the keys between said first and second sections when the keys are being positioned therein.
 5. A key mounting device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said guide means includes a lip portion having a free end directed away from said base member.
 6. A key mounting device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said lip portion is tapered.
 7. A key mounting device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said second section includes second guide means for directing the keys between said first and second sections when the keys are being removed therefrom.
 8. A key mounting device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said second guide means includes a lip portion having a free end directed toward said base member.
 9. A key mounting device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said lip portion of said second guide means is tapered.
 10. A key mounting device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said leg members are resilient to facilitate the passing of the keys between said first and second sections, said first and second sections being spaced apart less than the thickness of each of the keys. 